Cultural Practices that Minimize Pest Problems

Two plant families, Solanaceae (the nightshade family) and Cucurbiaceae (the squash family), contain many familiar garden crops. Avoid planting crops within a family in the same place more than once every three years.


The Solanaceae family includes tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes.


The Cucurbiaceae family includes squashes, cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins.

Before we get into a discussion about pests, let's explore some gardening techniques that can help prevent or minimize pest problems. These techniques are often called cultural controls.

• Grow resistant or tolerant cultivars. Tomatoes, for example, are susceptible to numerous diseases. Consider growing at least a few varieties that are labeled as resistant to common diseases, such as fusarium.



• Practice good sanitation. Remove crop residues after the harvest, prune away damaged and diseased foliage, and keep garden and nearby areas weed-free.



• Space plants properly. Adequate spacing improves air circulation, reducing the spread of diseases.



• Rotate crops. Don't grow related plants in the same spot more than once every three years. (see sidebar)



• Grow a diversity of plants. This reduces the chance that one pest will damage the entire garden. And it encourages the presence of beneficial organisms.



• Avoid wetting plant foliage when watering to minimize the spread of diseases. Also, if possible, don't work in the garden when foliage is wet.



• Encourage natural controls. Spiders, birds, ladybugs, and toads all consume garden pests.

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